Julia Theresa Kraintz

Julia T. Kraintz, 79, of Watkins Street, Swoyersville, died peacefully at home on Tuesday morning, March 22, 2005, surrounded by the loving family that she nurtured and cared for all her life.

Born in Swoyersville, Julia was a daughter of the late Casmir and Josephine Domant. Prior to her retirement, she was employed by United Pants Factory in Swoyersville. She was a member of Holy Family Parish, Luzerne.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph; sister, Helen; and brothers, Charles and Joseph.

Surviving are her seven children and their families, Marlene Hafner and husband, Thomas, of Tunkhannock, and daughter, Sara; Julia Schulte and husband, Albert, of Wilkes-Barre; Caroline Howell and husband, Roger, of Shavertown, and daughters, Melissa, Julie and Rebecca; Deborah Hensley and husband, Thomas, of Maryland, and sons, Michael and Scott; Chaplain Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Kraintz and wife, Carolyn, of South Carolina, and sons, Nathanael and Joshua and daughter, Kaitlyn; Christine Kennedy and husband, Robert, of Mount Cobb, and sons, Robert Jr. and Nicholas; Bernadette Harned and husband, David, of California, and sons, David, Matthew and Sammy. She is also survived by sister, Frances Bagonis of Luzerne.

Julia recently said her greatest achievement in life was that she was loved so much by so many … and she was. Julia’s whole life revolved around her family. Although Julia had seven children, she regarded her daughter-in-law and sons-in law as her very own. To her fourteen grandchildren, she was the best grandma, nana or “mu.”

Julia loved simple pleasures, such as sitting on the front porch with a good cup of coffee, feeding the birds, grocery shopping and cooking for family get-togethers, taking the bus to town, enjoying Atlantic City trips and watching the New York Yankees.

During the past 15 months, Julia was under the compassionate and supportive medical care of Dr. Bruce Saidman, Sally Alinikoff’s Women of Hope Support Group, and the staff of Medical Oncology Associates. They brought her hope, dignity and strength. The Very Rev. David Cappelloni and Eucharistic Minister, Kathleen Pajor, brought her spiritual comfort. The family also appreciates the support of the VNA and hospice staff.